Crime stats in San Bernardino: Progress or spin?
Here is my report on crime stats in San Bernardino. The bottom line is that Mayor Pat Morris and Police Chief Michael Billdt's heady claims in February that the city is safer than it has been in a quarter century are challenged by the FBI's newest crime report.
This is a slightly longer version of the story that appears in today's Sun Newspaper.
SAN BERNARDINO -- With 2007 barely over, police and political leaders were flush with confidence in their fight against crime.
Statistics provided by the Police Department seemed to indicate most crimes at historic lows, and Mayor Pat Morris declared his anti-crime platform - Operation Phoenix - a key part of the success.
But final statistics released by the FBI last week show that news on the crime front was not quite so rosy.
For all the spending on anti-crime efforts over the past three years - including a new helicopter, dozens more police officers and saturation patrols - San Bernardino remains among the state's deadliest cities.
The city holds the infamous honor of having the state's fourth highest murder rate per capita in 2007, trailing only Oakland, Richmond and Compton.
In February, Police Chief Michael Billdt tabulated historical data and Morris was quick to comment to local newspapers about how the city was in one of its safest period ever.
On Monday, Lt. Scott Paterson, the department's spokesman, said department leaders have never taken crime lightly or spun the situation positive to the public.
"Never have we minimized the crime in this city," Paterson said. "The chief, the mayor and the department were pointing to the significant progress we've made, they were thanking the men and women of the department and the stakeholders in the city."
With 45 murders in 2007, the murder rate stood at 2.24 murders per 10,000 people. By comparison, in 1999, when the city's population stood at 189,133 and 23 murders were committed, the rate was 1.22 murders per 10,000 people, meaning the city's murder rate was nearly twice as high in 2007 as it was in 1999.
When other violent crimes were factored in, however, the overall violent crime rate in 2007 was lower than during any year since 1985, thanks to drops in other crimes outweighing the historically high homicide rate.
Criminologists typically cite criminal homicide numbers as the most important figure in measuring big-city crime because it cannot be affected by under-reporting or other statistical vagaries.
Thus far this year, the city has had 26 homicides, 24 classified as murders, including two last weekend, numbers that are well below last year's pace.
But not everyone was convinced when Morris and others touted the crime drop earlier this year. Nor are they convinced now.
"Crime is up around here," said E.J. Ford, a 55-year-old resident of "The Projects," a West side neighborhood, while sitting on his porch. The night before, a hail of gunfire killed an 18-year-old man Ford said he watched grow up on those rugged streets.
"People are tense, you hear gunshots," Ford said. "I've known a lot of people who've been killed out here."
Councilwoman Wendy McCammack, a frequent Morris critic, said the statistics Morris and Billdt cite are suspect.
"My biggest concern when crime stats are discussed is are they being skewed or described in such a way that gives people a false sense of security," McCammack said. "My second concern is it appears to me, based on the amount of crime I know exists where I live and work, that quite a few crimes are going unreported. You can claim that your safer now than in the past 20 years, but that's based on stats that have no validity if crime is underreported or reclassified."
Allegations have floated for months from some, including retired Capt. Jeff Breiten, that the department has ordered crimes that in the past would have been deemed violent crimes to be downgraded, thus lowering the overrall violent crime rate. The speculation has been fueled by persistently high homicide rates coupled with plunging rates of other crimes in recent years.
In 1997, police recorded 16,265 total violent crimes, compared to 12,242 in 2007, a drop of 25 percent. Yet 2007 saw 45 murders, a 20 percent hike over 1997, a disparity some see as troubling.
Police leaders have denied any change in reporting policy that would cause a disparity.
Paterson said Monday the city's crime fight is far from over, but praised the department's work in driving down crime.
"We've made a significant impact on things with proactive enforcement," Paterson said. "Is it done, no, we're not done, we have a lot of work to do."
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San Bernardino City Crime Stats from FBI (2007)
Violent Crimes 2150
Murder 45
Rape 74
Robbery 862
Assault 1169
Property Crime 10,090
Burglary 2129
Larceny Theft 5,358
Car Theft 2603
Arson 81
POPULATION 200,810
1 in a 100 was a victim of a violent crime
1 in 20 was a victim of a property crime
How many crimes were under reported ??????????
Compared to the rest of the county
San Bernardino County Crime Stats from FBI
Violent Crimes 1286
Murder 24
Rape 69
Robbery 194
Assault 999
Property Crime 6,569
Burglary 2,178
Larceny Theft 2,990
Car Theft 1,401
Arson 114
Mark Twain said "There are lies, damned lies and statistics. "
Now we find out that Mayor Morris and Chief Billdt are lying about the lies...
Aristotle said "Liars when they speak the truth are not believed."
So, how are we (the citizens) to trust anything said by these two liars? Chief Billdt should step down immediately. This isn't the first time he has lied to the citizens, so you know it won't be the last.
At the very least Mayor Morris should immediately apologize. He and his son can throw Billdt under the bus and slide through another embarrassing incident.
If the murder theory holds true as an indicator as to how we are fighting crime...........City of Riverside has a population of 299,312 and had 12 murders, while City of San Bernardino has a population of 200,810 and had 45 murders.
Billdt and Morris, the numbers just don't add up...............
Anon,
The murder theory does hold true, that is the problem.
Per population the City of San Bernardino should have had 8 murders to stay in line with the stats from neighboring City of Riverside. That means Billdt's and Morris' extraodinary crime fighting abilities has cost us............ in the form of 37 lives lost in the year 2007.
That is too high a price to pay.
I am glad to see that people are taking a serious look at the numbers. The Mayor has said that the proof is in the pudding and that according to the numbers, Chief Billdt is doing a good job.
Chief Billdt's only crime fighting strategy has been an unlimited budget of overtime...more cops on the street equate to a lower crime rate. Our city budget could not sustain this approach and demoralizing the troops through fear and retaliation didn't help either.
Chief Billdt was given a $12,000 a year raise in pay and an unlimited overtime budget and the department is worse off two years later. I wonder what past Chiefs could have accomplished with the same opportunities.
Like Shelby said, for the population of City of San Bernardino (about 200,000 and 45 murders) in comparison to the city of Riverside (about 300,000 and 12 murders), San Bernardino should have had only 8 murders to Riverside's 12.
Do the math people. Both Billdt and Morris are SPIN DOCTORS.
Dear Mayor and Council,
How long before you take action? Don't we deserve an answer?
Please do something about the crime.
Wouldn't it be more fiscally responsible to increase the budget, hire more officers and cut out the overtime? Is it just me, or can you not hire 1 1/2 officers at regular time for what you are paying 1 officer at overtime? Explain how overtime makes sense?
To Steve Lowes,
The POA constantly talks about the troops being demoralized thru fear and retaliation.The only ones I see in those shoes are those who treated their subordinates poorly, then complained when it was thrown back at them. I come to work everyday and see a vast majority of the troop laughing and getting along. I don't see the demoralized masses with their heads down trying to figure out what went wrong. These troops just come to work, do their jobs and then go home to their families. I think what demoralizes them is when they hear a Sgt, who makes $55 dollars an hour,bad mouthing their department. Most of officers in the department don't have any contact with administration. The only thing they know is what comes out of a supervisors mouth. I think its time to give it all a rest and get back to doing the work we were hired to do.
What action would you have your Council members take? Have your neighbors and friends call or email their council members directly and ask them to act based on your suggestions or blanket email via the city's complaint system at SBCITY.org. We will get the messages you send. I would, however, like to know exactly what you would have us do, no really, if you were in our shoes, what would you do? The Mayor has taken control of this situation and will not waver from his position. Maybe the calls and emails need to go to the Mayor's office also at SBCITY.org. I know I receive many emails and phone calls related to many issues, even those I cannot fix, but I will try anyway. I would appreciate a response, Tom and thanks.
Someone needs to buy Billdt a "Sit n Spin" for his going away party.
This will be an attempt to educate and inform Stephen Witt and Shelby Harrison because there reasoning for crime and murder rates displays sheer ignorance.
The main reason SB has or had so much crime to some degree or another is because of the type of people this town attracts. Because of low apartment rents or cheap housing you get the rejects of society, the criminals, people with lifestyle issues that leads to them getting killed. Hundreds upon hundreds if not thousands in SB lack or do not have a grasp on values or morals. They have total disregard for life and property. There are way to many black and Hispanic gangbangers that live in this town. Does that mean there are not good people living in some of these areas? No, but they are trapped by economic issues and many onetime decent neighborhoods deteriorated and the undesirables gradually moved in (gangbangers,wannabees,parolees) so the quality of life goes down. Another words people with major lifestyle issues, that leads to crime or breeds crime, and they are quick to blame others for their problems while sitting in there house abusing/selling drugs,alcohol, and collecting government assistance. To lazy to work or have sold some line to an agency that they have a problem. See it all the time.
SB is also a very transitory town. Other than the many crooks already here MANY come here because they know a family member,gangster,want retaliation,or to simply commit robberies and drive-bys because thats there mentality. Just last night an officer was beaten by a thug out of Inglewood with his nightstick after a traffic stop. A gun was in the car along with four other fine people. Do you think they were out looking for the local boys club. There thugs looking for drugs, a convienient robbery, or drive-by. This happens over and over and over. Rialto has the same problems for the same reasons.
Whether you like it or not SB's robberies for example fluctuate for a few different reasons. Crooks are killed, locked up, too many police on the streets, just to name some. There's one general truth month in and month out, and regardless if robberies are up or down. About 65% are committed by blacks, 25% by Hispanics, and 10% by whites. The same holds true for murders but the Hispanic percentage is probably a bit higher.
You can not compare murder rates to a city like Riverside on a per capita theory. Riverside does not have the volume of low income or cheap housing areas that breeds the criminal element or brings them in compared to the size of SB. They attract better business and higher quality people. This element has not been allowed to infiltrate to the extent it has in SB because they don't want it and know what it leads to. SB had the former Arden Guthries, Delmann Heights, Iron Triangle, Projects, 15th and Lugo area, Mountain and Loma area. There are many other street(s) or areas that are infested with criminals. Any cop who is seasoned and works the streets of SB knows by training,experience, and just being out there week after week that about 1 out of 4 people you see in these areas are dirty. Many others such as judges,local attorneys, and FBI colleagues know this too and what is fueling major crime but may not publicly say it because political correctness is alive and well.
Cities like Rancho, Upland, Montclair, Claremont and even closer to home Redlands don't have the level of crime and murders for the very reasons I mentioned above. Cities like Pomona and Compton have the crime for the very reasons mentioned above. Every year many get shot and don't die because of bullet placement (just lucky), or they get quick good medical care. For example in 1992 there was 83 homicides in SB and probably another 50 others shot during that year and that is likely low. Imagine if 50% of those would of died. 108 killed in SB and this is common year after year because of the low lifes in and attracted to town.
So while murder rates may fluctuate year to year there is a common theme in places like SB, Pomona, and Compton. Also if LAPD puts the pressure on there 20,000 plus gangbangers where do many end up? In SB. You can't control murders with the dregs of society already here and coming across our boarders in a city with the make up of SB unless you put a cop on every other street corner.
Its funny how years ago we hung horse thieves to relieve society of this ever present element and today it takes 20 years to execute a murderer no matter how many they committed. To many bleeding hearts, big business for some, and in the meantime the Mynisha's will continue to die along with other truly innocent kids caught up in drive-bys and the ruthless lifestyle of too many broken people.
The fact of the matter is crime has been down in recent years and occasionally spikes. This is due to more cops on the street and there hard work, more crooks in and around SB have been killed, more have been locked up and because of things like Operation Phoenix word gets out that to many cops are on the streets. Crooks and the thousands of drug dealers don't like that.
"Anonymous" says re crime: About 65% are committed by blacks, 25% by Hispanics, and 10% by whites.
There are way to many black and Hispanic gangbangers that live in this town.
So you are blaming this on the black and hispanic's?
It sounds like you should start your own gang! Maybe you could get David Duke to help you organize it....
"Anonymous" says re crime: About 65% are committed by blacks, 25% by Hispanics, and 10% by whites.
There are way to many black and Hispanic gangbangers that live in this town.
So you are blaming this on the black and hispanic's?
It sounds like you should start your own gang! Maybe you could get David Duke to help you organize it....
I agree with most of what anonymous said above.
He hit the nail on the head on most, not all, of the problems and the causes.
Jim Penman
I agree with most of what anonymous said above.
He hit the nail on the head on most, not all, of the problems and the causes.
Jim Penman
I agree with most of what anonymous said above.
He hit the nail on the head on most, not all, of the problems and the causes.
Jim Penman
I agree with most of what anonymous said above.
He hit the nail on the head on most, not all, of the problems and the causes.
Jim Penman
Today is Wednesday 24th of Sept. Third day in a row that the police had to investigate a shooting or shoot someone themselves. Sure glad crime is down...too bad it is not in San Bernardino. Anyone who says differently is lying!
Officer Involved Shooting Incident
Homicide Sgt D. Dillon explains that on Tuesday, Sepetmber 23, 2008 at about 9:43 PM, patrol officers from the San Bernardino Police Department were working a crime suppression unit when they stopped a vehicle at East 16th Street and North Lugo Street in San Bernardino for traffic violations. There were five adult males in the vehicle. While one officer approached the vehicle, a second officer watched as the driver was asked to step from the vehicle. Once the driver was safely seated on the curb, the officer saw a handgun inside the vehicle. He signaled the second officer. The driver (later identify as Mr. Roderick Lamar Johnson, age 25 of San Bernardino) ran and a foot chase ensued.
The officer caught Mr. Johnson and he (Johnson) then began fighting with the officer. During the struggle, the officer lost his baton and Mr. Johnson used it to strike the officer several times. Fearing for his safety, the officer fired his firearm at Mr. Johnson in self defense. Mr. Johnson was struck by gunfire.
Mr. Johnson was taken into custody at that point. Paramedics from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to provide emergency medical care and they transported Mr. Johnson to a local hospital for his injuries. The suspect is expected to survive his injuries. The officer was treated and released at a local hospital for his injuries.
Mr. Johnson is a documented gang member from Inglewood. The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Flesher at 909-384-5655 or the SBPD Hotline at 909-384-5656.
Today is Wednesday 24th of Sept. Third day in a row that the police had to investigate a shooting or shoot someone themselves. Sure glad crime is down...too bad it is not in San Bernardino. Anyone who says differently is lying!
Officer Involved Shooting Incident
Homicide Sgt D. Dillon explains that on Tuesday, Sepetmber 23, 2008 at about 9:43 PM, patrol officers from the San Bernardino Police Department were working a crime suppression unit when they stopped a vehicle at East 16th Street and North Lugo Street in San Bernardino for traffic violations. There were five adult males in the vehicle. While one officer approached the vehicle, a second officer watched as the driver was asked to step from the vehicle. Once the driver was safely seated on the curb, the officer saw a handgun inside the vehicle. He signaled the second officer. The driver (later identify as Mr. Roderick Lamar Johnson, age 25 of San Bernardino) ran and a foot chase ensued.
The officer caught Mr. Johnson and he (Johnson) then began fighting with the officer. During the struggle, the officer lost his baton and Mr. Johnson used it to strike the officer several times. Fearing for his safety, the officer fired his firearm at Mr. Johnson in self defense. Mr. Johnson was struck by gunfire.
Mr. Johnson was taken into custody at that point. Paramedics from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to provide emergency medical care and they transported Mr. Johnson to a local hospital for his injuries. The suspect is expected to survive his injuries. The officer was treated and released at a local hospital for his injuries.
Mr. Johnson is a documented gang member from Inglewood. The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Flesher at 909-384-5655 or the SBPD Hotline at 909-384-5656.
Today is Wednesday 24th of Sept. Third day in a row that the police had to investigate a shooting or shoot someone themselves. Sure glad crime is down...too bad it is not in San Bernardino. Anyone who says differently is lying!
Officer Involved Shooting Incident
Homicide Sgt D. Dillon explains that on Tuesday, Sepetmber 23, 2008 at about 9:43 PM, patrol officers from the San Bernardino Police Department were working a crime suppression unit when they stopped a vehicle at East 16th Street and North Lugo Street in San Bernardino for traffic violations. There were five adult males in the vehicle. While one officer approached the vehicle, a second officer watched as the driver was asked to step from the vehicle. Once the driver was safely seated on the curb, the officer saw a handgun inside the vehicle. He signaled the second officer. The driver (later identify as Mr. Roderick Lamar Johnson, age 25 of San Bernardino) ran and a foot chase ensued.
The officer caught Mr. Johnson and he (Johnson) then began fighting with the officer. During the struggle, the officer lost his baton and Mr. Johnson used it to strike the officer several times. Fearing for his safety, the officer fired his firearm at Mr. Johnson in self defense. Mr. Johnson was struck by gunfire.
Mr. Johnson was taken into custody at that point. Paramedics from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to provide emergency medical care and they transported Mr. Johnson to a local hospital for his injuries. The suspect is expected to survive his injuries. The officer was treated and released at a local hospital for his injuries.
Mr. Johnson is a documented gang member from Inglewood. The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Flesher at 909-384-5655 or the SBPD Hotline at 909-384-5656.
Today is Wednesday 24th of Sept. Third day in a row that the police had to investigate a shooting or shoot someone themselves. Sure glad crime is down...too bad it is not in San Bernardino. Anyone who says differently is lying!
Officer Involved Shooting Incident
Homicide Sgt D. Dillon explains that on Tuesday, Sepetmber 23, 2008 at about 9:43 PM, patrol officers from the San Bernardino Police Department were working a crime suppression unit when they stopped a vehicle at East 16th Street and North Lugo Street in San Bernardino for traffic violations. There were five adult males in the vehicle. While one officer approached the vehicle, a second officer watched as the driver was asked to step from the vehicle. Once the driver was safely seated on the curb, the officer saw a handgun inside the vehicle. He signaled the second officer. The driver (later identify as Mr. Roderick Lamar Johnson, age 25 of San Bernardino) ran and a foot chase ensued.
The officer caught Mr. Johnson and he (Johnson) then began fighting with the officer. During the struggle, the officer lost his baton and Mr. Johnson used it to strike the officer several times. Fearing for his safety, the officer fired his firearm at Mr. Johnson in self defense. Mr. Johnson was struck by gunfire.
Mr. Johnson was taken into custody at that point. Paramedics from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to provide emergency medical care and they transported Mr. Johnson to a local hospital for his injuries. The suspect is expected to survive his injuries. The officer was treated and released at a local hospital for his injuries.
Mr. Johnson is a documented gang member from Inglewood. The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Flesher at 909-384-5655 or the SBPD Hotline at 909-384-5656.
Today is Wednesday 24th of Sept. Third day in a row that the police had to investigate a shooting or shoot someone themselves. Sure glad crime is down...too bad it is not in San Bernardino. Anyone who says differently is lying!
Officer Involved Shooting Incident
Homicide Sgt D. Dillon explains that on Tuesday, Sepetmber 23, 2008 at about 9:43 PM, patrol officers from the San Bernardino Police Department were working a crime suppression unit when they stopped a vehicle at East 16th Street and North Lugo Street in San Bernardino for traffic violations. There were five adult males in the vehicle. While one officer approached the vehicle, a second officer watched as the driver was asked to step from the vehicle. Once the driver was safely seated on the curb, the officer saw a handgun inside the vehicle. He signaled the second officer. The driver (later identify as Mr. Roderick Lamar Johnson, age 25 of San Bernardino) ran and a foot chase ensued.
The officer caught Mr. Johnson and he (Johnson) then began fighting with the officer. During the struggle, the officer lost his baton and Mr. Johnson used it to strike the officer several times. Fearing for his safety, the officer fired his firearm at Mr. Johnson in self defense. Mr. Johnson was struck by gunfire.
Mr. Johnson was taken into custody at that point. Paramedics from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to provide emergency medical care and they transported Mr. Johnson to a local hospital for his injuries. The suspect is expected to survive his injuries. The officer was treated and released at a local hospital for his injuries.
Mr. Johnson is a documented gang member from Inglewood. The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Flesher at 909-384-5655 or the SBPD Hotline at 909-384-5656.
Today is Wednesday 24th of Sept. Third day in a row that the police had to investigate a shooting or shoot someone themselves. Sure glad crime is down...too bad it is not in San Bernardino. Anyone who says differently is lying!
Officer Involved Shooting Incident
Homicide Sgt D. Dillon explains that on Tuesday, Sepetmber 23, 2008 at about 9:43 PM, patrol officers from the San Bernardino Police Department were working a crime suppression unit when they stopped a vehicle at East 16th Street and North Lugo Street in San Bernardino for traffic violations. There were five adult males in the vehicle. While one officer approached the vehicle, a second officer watched as the driver was asked to step from the vehicle. Once the driver was safely seated on the curb, the officer saw a handgun inside the vehicle. He signaled the second officer. The driver (later identify as Mr. Roderick Lamar Johnson, age 25 of San Bernardino) ran and a foot chase ensued.
The officer caught Mr. Johnson and he (Johnson) then began fighting with the officer. During the struggle, the officer lost his baton and Mr. Johnson used it to strike the officer several times. Fearing for his safety, the officer fired his firearm at Mr. Johnson in self defense. Mr. Johnson was struck by gunfire.
Mr. Johnson was taken into custody at that point. Paramedics from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to provide emergency medical care and they transported Mr. Johnson to a local hospital for his injuries. The suspect is expected to survive his injuries. The officer was treated and released at a local hospital for his injuries.
Mr. Johnson is a documented gang member from Inglewood. The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Flesher at 909-384-5655 or the SBPD Hotline at 909-384-5656.
To: Give it a rest
I have never bad mouthed our department. We have a great department full of dedicated officers. Officers like Danny Gomez that recently gave this mess a "rest" and blogged about good memories of police work. He reminded us to stay focused on our mission of protecting the community and catching the crooks. He is a good man to give it a rest...he gave a good message...he also gave a very strong no confidence vote against Billdt...as most of us did.
I fight crime and injustice where ever I see it. In the streets or in the office of the chief.
You go ahead and give it a rest...the majority of us will not rest. We will stand up for you and make SBPD a better place for you to work.
To Sgt Lowes,
You're funny. You treated veteran SWAT officers like crap and they quit rather than work for you. Now you have the stones to sit on your little perch and say you will fight injustice in the streets or in the Chiefs office. You are a joke and thats sad because you used to be a fine officer.
After typing in a couple of paragraphs, the system did not accept my blog...See if this unrelated blog works..
An American war hero who endured the barbaric, cruel, inhumane and relentless torture of the North Vietnamese Army captors is being treated no better by the American major news media of all types. The ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC TV and radio media, the majority of newspapers, including the San Bernardino The Sun, and supermarket type sensationalist yellow rag magazines all join in a savage and relentless campaign of attacking John McCain and his Vice-Presidential running mate, Sarah Palin.
Sarah Palin is the American dream Mom. She embodies the values of good family Moms. She is also the heroine for many hard working, high values women in this Presidential race. Her family embraces all the things that the American family lives for in our everyday lives. She is the daughter, Mom, and wife that anyone would be proud to call theirs. She is attacked by those of her own gender when she should be celebrated by them. The unethical influence peddling of the Oprah types attempt to have women believe that Joe Biden is a better way for their feminine groups